Todd Greenberg: ’Too often we forget the women who make our stars great’

For all the superlatives said about Cameron Smith, little is said about his wife Barb. Cameron will tell you without Barb perhaps he may not have played 400 games, writes Todd Greenberg.

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Almost 10,000 people have played first grade rugby league since its inception in 1908.

Thousands more have tried and failed to make the grade.

Of that group, less than 40 have played 300 games or more. And only 14 have done so at one club. But in more than 100 years of rugby league only one player has played 400 matches, every single one of them at the same club.

Cameron Smith.

It’s a feat I don’t think we will ever see again.

Earlier this year we knew the milestone, health pending, would be achieved. History would be created. It’s not often you have the opportunity to know a once and a lifetime feat is about to happen. But this time we did.

So often in sport we underplay greatness. We knock our champions. It’s become sport to do so. Not this time.

Smith is kissed by his wife Barbara after his 400th NRL game. Picture: Scott Barbour

The Australian Rugby League Commission wanted the feat acknowledged properly. It’s so easy to talk down our game. The off field indiscretions, refereeing decisions, clubs, coaches and players under pressure. It’s a yearly ritual.

So earlier this year I created a working group. It contained some NRL and Melbourne Storm staff tasked to consider a range of activities, innovations and initiatives that would take place to celebrate this unique milestone.

Transforming the Storm’s match into a festival of Cameron for the fans was a no-brainer.

A mural was painted in Richmond alongside Billy Slater. And a luncheon was held with the Storm squad and the AFL’s 400 game players. It made the front page of the Herald Sun in Melbourne, AFL’s bible. NRL on the front page of the Herald Sun. You don’t see that every day.

We also decided to host a dinner in Cameron’s honour. Not a gala with 500 people. Something special. ARLC Chair Peter Beattie and I hosted dinner for just 26 people. His closest friends, confidants and family. His parents were there. People had come from far and wide.

The next challenge was finding the right gift to acknowledge such a feat. Every player who plays 300 games is presented with a personally engraved, diamond encrusted ring.

Cameron already had one of those when he joined the group of less than 40. So we presented him with a crystal ball instead, designed specifically to mark this incredible milestone.

The crystal ball was also presented to Cameron as part of the post match celebrations after the game at AAMI park.

The Smiths and Todd Greenberg during Cameron’s 400th game celebration. Picture: Scott Barbour

For all the superlatives said about Cameron, little is said about his wife Barb. They are childhood sweethearts from their days in Logan. She has been with him every step of the way.

Year in, year out she has made sacrifices as Cameron travelled away from home for the Storm, State of Origin and Test duty.

Cameron will tell you without Barb perhaps he may not have played 400 games.

This weekend is Women In League round where we acknowledge the contribution of the women in our game. Why? Because without the mothers, wives, sisters and girlfriends many of our great players wouldn’t be who they are today.

Many clubs wouldn’t be where they are today without the women who form part of them. And I know NRL headquarters wouldn’t be the same without some of the wonderful women in my team. We resolved that it was fitting to acknowledge Barb and her contribution.

Given Cameron already had a ring for his 300th we gave a matching ring to Barb for his 400th. A small thank you from the game for letting us share her husband. And most importantly helping shape him into the legend he has become.

Too often we forget the women who help make our stars great. Their role is every bit as important as the coach, the club or even the player themselves. It was a surprise to Barb but not to anyone else. An important touch to an important week.

There’s a lot we don’t get right in rugby league. But the week of Cameron Smith’s 400 was not one of those occasions. A near sellout crowd, unprecedented media coverage in Melbourne and an acknowledgment of one of the great women in our game.

Cameron Smith’s 400 was a celebration of greatness, of an ambassador, an icon and everything that is good about rugby league. We did it properly and we will do it again.

It took nearly 10,000 players and over 100 years to find a Cameron Smith.

Nobody knows how long it will take to find the next.

If ever.

Whoever is at the helm at that time I hope they do it all over again.

Todd Greenberg is the CEO of the National Rugby League